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iZ  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notas/Notas  tuchniquas  at  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


□    Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  coulaur 


I — I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagie 


□    Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  peliiculie 

□    Cover  title  missing/ 
Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


n 


D 
D 
D 


D 


Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  g^ographiques  en  couleur 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 


I I    Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  blaue  ou  noirel 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relii  avec  d'sutres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serree  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distorsion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  bean  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  iti  film^as. 


Th«? 
to  th 


L'Instttut  a  microfilme  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  at^  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-^tre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mithode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu^s  ci-dessous. 


□    Coiourtid  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 


D 


v/ 


D 


Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaur^es  et/ou  pelliculdes 


The 
poss 
of  th 
filmj 


Orig 
begi 
the  I 
sion 
othe 
first 
sion 
or  ill 


..    Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
^    Pages  ddcolor^es,  tachet^es  ou  piqu^es 


Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ddtachees 

Shcwthrough/ 
Transparence 


I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 


Quality  in^gale  de  ('impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 


□    Only  edition  availably/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


The 
shal 
TIN! 
whii 

Map 
diffc 
entii 
bcgi 
righ 
reqt 
met 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pel-jre, 
etc.,  ont  4t6  film^es  d  nouveau  de  facon  a 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


D 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplimentaires; 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  cjcument  est  film*  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqui  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

1 

i   1   1 

i 
i 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


Thi»  copy  filmed  hers  has  bean  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

La  Plbliothd<;ue  de  la  Ville  de  Montrfol 


L'exenf>plaire  filmA  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

La  Bibliotheque  de  la  Vii  ■  de  Montreal 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filmmg  contract  specificcitions. 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t4  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
de  la  nettetd  de  I'exemplaire  filmi,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  v»\X\\  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  Ail 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimde  sont  filmis  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas,  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film6s  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^♦^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  tc  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagramc  illustrate  the 
method: 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  —*-  signifie  "A  SUIVRE".  le 
symbols  V  signifie  'FIN  ". 

Les  cartas,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
film6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffirents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  film6  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
ilUistrent  la  mdthode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

P] 


II      ■■     ■  ly  "    '  'I 


3890 


DISCOURSE, 


DELIVERED    IN   BOSTON,    APRIL    13,    1815, 


THE  DAY  OF  THANKSGIVING 


APPOINTED   BY   THE 


PRESIDENT  OF  THE  lNITED  STATES. 


IN   COMSEdUENCE  OF  THE 


II 


PEACE. 


J 


BY  JOHN  LATHROP,  D.  D. 

PASTOR  OF   THE   SECOND  CHURCH   IN   BOSTON. 


PDBLIBMED  XT  THE  REQUEST  OF  THE   HBARBRSt 


BOSTON  : 

PUBLISHED  BY  J.   W.   BURDITT. 

4813. 


(I 


A 


■V  -m^-  fc-^R*"" 


^V^MMRI 


mm 


SERMON. 


1st  BOOK   OF   CHONICLES,   XVI.    8,  9. 


"  Give  thanks  unto  the  Lord,  call  upon  his  name, 
*^  make  known  his  deeds  among  Ihe  people.  Sing 
*^  unto  him,  sing  psalms  unto  him,  talk  you  of  all 
"  his  wondrous  worksP 

NEVER,  my  friends,  did  we  assemble  with 
more  cheerful  hearts  to  offer  praise  and  thanksgiving 
to  Almighty  God,  than  we  do  on  the  present  occasion. 
Never  have  r/e  witnessed  joy  more  universal,  than 
the  joy  expressed  by  the  American  people  at  the  re- 
turn of  peace.  This  event,  like  the  sun  breaking 
from  a  cloud,  hath  scattered  the  darkness  which  hung 
over  our  afflicted  country,  and  given  new  spirits  and 
new  life  to  many  who  were  "  bowed  down  to  the 
dust,"  and  "  covered  with  the  shadow  of  death." 

On  such  an  occasion,  it  is  highly  proper,  that  peo- 
ple professing  the  christian  religion,  do  assemble  in 
places  of  worship,  and  offer  praise  and  thanksgiving 
to  Him  who  ruleth  over  the  nations,  and  turneth  the 
hearts  of  the  kings,  and  of  the  mighty  men  of  the 
earth,  as  the  waters  are  turned. 


Not  only  the  people  of  our  country,  but  the  great- 
est part  of  the  christian  world,  have  been  in  deep  af- 
i action.  Modern  history  presents  no  period  to  our 
recollection,  in  which  the  miseries  of  war  have  been 
more  generally  felt,  than  during  the  last  few  years  ; 
and  it  is  with  great  pleasure  that  we  hear,  peace  was  no 
sooner  restored  to  the  bleeding  nations  of  Europe, 
than  the  temples  of  the  Most  High  were  filled  with 
praises  and  thanksgivings. 

As  the  American  people  were  the  last  to  take  the 
cup  of  affliction,  which  the  Sovereign  of  the  world 
hath  caused  to  pass  from  one  nation  to  another,  so  are 
they  the  last,  but,  we  trust,  not  the  least,  in  sincere 
and  humble  gratitude,  to  the  Giver  of  all  mercies,  for 
granting  salvation  to  many  millions  of  people,  by  a 
general  peace. 

The  text  points  out  to  us  a  course  of  exercises, 
proper  on  the  present  occasion.  We  are  called  upon 
by  a  sense  of  gratitude  ;  by  a  recollection  of  the  bene- 
fits which  a  merciful  God  hath  bestowed  upon  ns,— 
we  are  called  upon  to  give  tljanks,— to  worship  Him, 
— to  talk  of  all  his  wondrous  works. 

It  would  be  pleasant,  and  it  would  be  useful,  to 
talk  of  those  wondrous  works  which  proclaim  the 
Eternal  Power  and  Godhead  ;  and  which  have  call- 
ed forth  the  reverence  and  love  of  the  wfse  and  good, 
in  all  parts  of  the  world.  By  the  things  which  our 
eyes  behold,  we  have  convincing  evidence,  that  a 
Being  of  infinite  perfection,  presides  over  the  universe, 
and  guides  all  the  movements  of  it,  according  to  his 
pleasure.  But  on  the  present  occasion,  we  feel  dis- 
posed to  talk  more  particularly  of  the  loving  kindness, 
and  of  the  mercy,  which  God  was  pleased  to  show  to 


the  Fatliers  of  ouv  Country  ;— of  the  protection  grant- 
ed to  them  jind  their  children,  in  seasons  of  weakness 
nnd  danger,  and  when  they  were  exposc^d  to  the  sav- 
ages  of  the  wilderness,  and  to  other  powerful  cue. 
mies  ; — of  the  wars  in  which  our  country  has  been 
engaged  ;— of  the  late  war,  and  of  the  peace  which 
God  hath  now  given  to  us. — From  a  review  of  the 
wondrous  works  of  mercy  and  goodness,  "  which 
were  done  in  the  times  of  old,"  and  w  hich  have  been 
done  in  later  years,  we  will  endeavour  to  excite  those 
grateful  and  pious  feelings,  which  alone  can  render 
our  publick  expressions  of  thanksgiving  acceptable  to 
a  gracious  Benefactor. 

When  we  speak  of  the  Fathers  of  our  Country,  we 
have  respect  to  those  Europeans,  who  early  adven- 
tured  to  this  quarter  of  the  world,  and  made  settle- 
ments in  various  parts  of  the  extensive  region  now 
called,  The  UiJiTviD  States  of  America  :  but  when 
we  speak  of  the  Fathers  of  New  England,  we  have  re. 
spect  to  those  protestant  christians,  who,  having  been 
oppressed  and  persecuted  by  a  race  of  despotick  sove- 
reigns,  and  by  an  intolerant  hierarchy,  left  "  the  pla- 
ces of  their  fathers  sepulchres,"  and  made  the  first 
permanent  settlements,  in  the  region  which  we  in- 
habit, and  which  still  bears  the  name  of  the  country 
from  whence  they  emigrated. 

The  views  of  the  early  adventurers  to  North  Amer- 
ica, even  from  Columbus  in  1493,  to  the  time  when 
the  pilgrims  landed  at  Plymoutli,  in  16S0,  were  ex- 
tremely  various.  The  object  of  some  of  them  was, 
discovery — Men  best  acquainted,  in  those  times, 
with  the  principles  of  geography,  expected  to  find  a 
passage  to  India,   by  the  Western  Ocean.    Others 


\l 


were  exciteil  to  tiie  hazaiilous  undertaking,  and  made 
voyages  to  this  quarter  of  the  world,  with  the  expecta- 
tion of  wealth  :  reports  were  spread  abroad,  that  on 
the  islands  and  on  the  continent  there  was  plenty  of 
silver  and  gold.  But  it  was  for  the  express  purpose 
of  securing  for  themselves  and  for  their  children,  the 
rights  of  freemen,  and  more  particularly  the  rights  of 
conscience,  that  the  Fathers  of  New  England  exchang- 
ed  their  dw  elling  places,  in  a  country  abounding  with 
the  means  of  subsistence,  for  a  wilderness,  where 
wants  and  sufferings  were  to  be  expected. 

The  first  christian  pilgrims  approached  these  north- 
ern shores  at  an  inclement  season  of  the  year.     At 
their  landing  they  found  no  shelter  from  the  cold  and 
from  the  tempest.      They  were  in  want  of  those  re- 
freshments  which  would  have  been  peculiarly  grate- 
ful  after  the  fatigues  and  dangers  of  a  long  voyage. 
By  reason  of  the  privations  aud  tha  sufferings,  which 
were  unavoidable  in  their  miserable  habitations,  they 
soon  became  sickly  ;    and  before  the  opening  of  the 
spring,  forty -five  of  the  one  hundred  and  one,  who  laud- 
ed  on  the  last  of  the  preceding  December,  were  dead. 
Although  the  first   cbristian    pilgrims   had   been 
brought  to  this  northern  region,  contrary  to  their  in- 
tention, and  contrary  to  the  contract  which  they  had 
l)een   careful  to  make  before  they  left  their  native 
country,  divine  providence  seems  to  have  prepared  a 
place  for  them,  in  which  they  might  plant  themselves 
without   any  immediate  opposition.      The  Indians, 
who   had  before   inhabited    the   ground    on   which 
they  landed,  and  the  wilderness  bordering  on  them, 
were  nearl  y  extinct.     They  had  some  time  before 
been  beaten  in  bloody  wars  with  other  savage  nations  j 


nnd,  to  complete  their  destruction,  an  awful  pestilence 
had  raged  among  them,  sweeping  away  both  the  old 
and  the  yoang,  until  it  might  be  said,  "  The  land 
was  left  without  inhabitants."  With  great  propriety 
we  quote  and  apply,  a  part  of  the  XLIV.  Psalm. 
— "  We  have  heard  with  our  ears,  O  God,  our  fath- 
"  ers  have  told  us,  what  thou  didst  in  their  days,  in 
"  the  times  of  old.  How  thou  didst  drive  out  the 
"  heathen  with  thy  hand,  and  plantedst  them  :  how 
"  thou  didst  afflict  the  people  and  cast  them  out.  For 
"  they  got  not  the  land  in  possession  by  their  own 
"  sword,  neither  did  their  own  arm  save  them  ;  but 
"  thy  right  hand,  and  thine  arm,  and  the  light  of  thy 
"  countenance,  because  thou  hadst  a  favour  unto 
"them." 

The  feeb'ie  pilgrims,  at  the  fii-st,  had  indeed  no  en- 
emy  to  oppose  them.  None  of  the  original  lords  of 
the  soil  came  to  protest  against  their  landing.  The 
first  visit  made  them  by  an  Indian,  was  in  the  month 
of  March.  One  of  the  chiefs  of  a  tribe,  living  at  a 
considerable  distance,  appeared,  unexpectedly ;  and 
in  their  own  language,  which  he  had  imperfectly 
learned  from  some  Europeans,  who  had  before  visited 
the  country,  he  addressed  them,  saying,  <'  Welcome. 
Englishmen  ;  Welcome,  Englishmen  !"* 

The  fathers  of  New  England  were  not,  however 
permitted  to  continue  many  years  unmolested.  The 
tribes  of  Indians,  who  inhabited  the  vast  wilderness, 
observing  the  increase  of  English  settlements,  and 

"  Holmei's  Annals,  Vol.  i.  p.  807. 

Samoset,  it  may  be  supposed,  obUined  some  knowledge  of  the  English  lan- 
guage from  Capt.  John  Smith  and  others,  who  visited  this  eountry  »nd  began 
»  commerce  with  the  Indians  in  the  year-  16U  and  1615. 


\| 


mm 


hearing  of  the  arrival  of  new  adventurers,  iiuliil!;- 
ed  suspicioRJi,  that  the  strangersi,  who  were  not  only 
Bpreading  along  on  the  sea  shore,  but  were  extending 
into  the  country,  would,  ere  long,  compel  them  to  re- 
linijuish  the  possessions  which  their  fathers  had  en- 
joyed, from  time  immemorial. 

Jealousies  and  apprehensions,  such  as  we  have 
now  mentioned,  were  greatly  strengthened  by  the  in- 
tercourse which  the  natives  of  the  wilderness  had  af- 
terwards with  the  French,  whose  settlements  were 
progressing  in  Nova  Scotia  and  in  Canada. 

The  most  dangerous  wars  in  which  the  fathers  of 
Ne"  Englanu  were  engaged,  are  traced  to  the  sour- 
ces which  we  have  now  mentioned. 

Phili/py  son  and  successor  of  Massasoiet,  the  histo- 
rian observes,  "  could  not  bear  to  see  the  English  of 
"New  Plymouth,  extending  their  settlements  over 
*<  the  dominions  of  his  ancestors  ;  and  although  his 
"  father  had,  at  one  time  or  other,  conveyed  to  them 
"  all  that  they  were  possessed  of,  yet  he  had  sense 
"  enough,  to  distinguish  a  free  voluntary  covenant, 
"  from  one  made  under  a  sort  of  duresse  ;  and  he 
"  could  never  rest  until  he  brought  on  the  war,  which 
"  ended  in  his  destruction." 

The  same  historian  adds  ;  "  The  eastern  wars 
^'  have  been  caused  by  the  attachment  of  those  Indians 
"  to  the  French,  who  have  taken  all  opportunities  of 
"  exciting  them  to  hostilities  against  the  English."* 

During  the  wars  with  FhJiipf  and  with  various 
tribes  of  Indians,  after  the  death  of  Philip,  assisted 
by  the  French  from  Canada  and  Nova  Scotia,  the 
New  England  Colonies,  more  especially  Massachu- 

•  Hutchinson's  Illst.  Vol.  i.  p.  170  and  283. 


seits  and  New  Hampsliiie,  were  exposed  to  great  suf' 
feringa. 

Such  was  the  influence  which  Philip  had  over  his 
OWM  tribe,  and  over  many  other  tribes  of  the  savages, 
that  he  was  able  to  send  the  calamities  of  war  to  al- 
most every  town  in  New  England.  Many  innocent 
peop!e  were  killed  while  labouring  in  their  fields ; 
many  women  and  children  were  killed  in  their  hous- 
es ;  many  were  taken  and  carried  into  captivity. 
Between  the  month  of  June,  I675,  when  this  noted 
warrior  began  hi?  vork  of  murder  and  depredation, 
and  the  month  of  August,  16;  3,  when  he  fell  in  battle, 
many  of  the  town*  in  this,  then  colony,  which  are  now 
beautiful  and  opulent,  were  visited  by  savage  inva- 
ders, and  either  in  whole,  or  in  part  were  destro;  d, 
I  will  mention  some  of  them. — Brookjield  was  am^  ag 
the  first,  wholly  destroyed ;  one  house  only  excepted. 
JDeerfieldf  seven  days  after  was  laid  in  ashes.  Spring- 
field, partly  destroyed.  Groton,  wholly  destroyed. 
Lamaater,  and  Medfield,  and  Warwick,  and  Sud- 
bury, and  Marlborough,  and  Chelmsford,  and  Wey- 
mouth,  and  Bridgewater,  and  Scituate,  and  Middle- 
borough,  and  Plymouth,  and  several  other  towns,  were 
attacked,  and  in  most  cases,  some  of  the  inhabitants 
were  killed,  and  some  carried  into  captivity;  and 
many  of  the  buildings  left  in  flames. 

Nor  did  the  work  of  devastation  and  murder  end 
with  the  death  of  Philip.*  Expeditions  were  made 
from  Canada,  and  from  Nova  Scotia.  Saco,  and 
Wells,  and  Fork,  and  Dover,  and  Berwick,  and  oth- 
er  places,  were  invaded  by  French  and  Indians  from 
the  east.  Many  people  were  killed,  and  many  hous- 
es were  destroyed.     Several  towns,  which  were  de^ 

•  See  Note  A: 


\| 


stroyed  in  the  time  of  Philifs  war,  were  again  vis- 
ited and  destroyed  by  parties  of  French  from  Canada, 
and  the  Indians  who  united  with  them.  So  late  as 
1701,  Beerfield  was  again  invaded  and  burnt ;  many 
of  the  people  were  killed,  and  their  minister,  Rev. 
Mr.  Williams  was  carried  into  captivity.  And  four 
years  after,  Haverhill  was  attacked,  and  in  part  burnt ; 
Rev.  Mr.  Rolfe  the  minister  of  the  town,  and  thir- 
ty or  forty  of  the  people  were  killed. 

During  tlie  long  reign  of  Lewi»  XIV.  king  of 
France,  great  exertions  were  made  by  that  monarch 
to  gain  an  ascendency  over  the  powerful  kingdoms  of 
Europe,  and,  in  the  end,  make  all  the  nations  of  the 
world  bow  to  his  authority.  He  found  the  English 
were  making  settlements  on  tha  atlantick  coasts,  and 
rapidly  extending  their  borders  into  a  country  capa- 
ble of  higli  cultivation,  and  promising  a  lucrative 
commerce.  He,  too,  had  colonies  in  North  America.; 
but  he  had  an  impression,  that  his  colonies  would  be 
of  but  little  advantage  to  him,  unless  he  could  pre- 
vent the  growth,  and  the  commerce  of  the  English  col- 
onies :  his  ambition,  therefore,  put  him  or.  devising 
means,  which,  if  fully  eyecuted,  would  not  only  have 
prevented  the  growth  of  the  English  colonies,  but 
eventually,  would  have  extirpated  tliem.  We  find  a 
plan  for  the  purpose  now  mentioned,  adopted  by  the 
court  of  France,  as  early  as  I687.* 

The  French  project,  to  obtain,  and  to  hold  the  do- 
minion of  all  North  America,  was  simple,  while  it 
was  deep.  It  was  to  secure  the  great  rivers  at  the 
north  east,  and  at  the  south  west,  viz.  the  St.  Law- 
rence, and  the  Missisippi,  as  well  as  the  inland  seas, 

•  llolroeb't  Annals.  Vol.  i.  i>.  472. 


11 


which  complete  the  line  of  water  communication,  and 
which  give  facility  to  an  immense  commerce.  They 
very  well  knew,  that  the  power,  which  shall  be  able 
to  command  on  those  waters,  will  be  able  to  command 
and  to  direct  the  numerous  tribes  of  savages  who  inhab- 
it the  vast  wilderness  between  the  English  colonies, 
and  the  French  settlements.  To  carry  this  plan  into 
effect,  we  find  the  French  exploring  the  vi'aters  of  the 
Missisippi,  in  the  year  1687.  Some  years  after,  we 
hear  of  them  making  settlements  on  the  borders  of 
that  river.  We  hear  of  them  erecting  forts,  at  the 
most  commanding  places,  near  the  lakes,  and  other 
navigable  waters  at  the  west ;  and  at  the  same  time, 
making  unreasonable  demands  of  territory  at  the  east.* 

Having  thus  prepared,  the  French  lost  no  time  in 
attempting  to  carry  their  plan  into  execution.  They 
availed  themselves  of  the  jealousies  which  already 
existed  in  the  minds  of  many  of  the  native  Indians, 
that  the  Erlglish  would  take  from  them  their  hunting 
grounds,  and  destroy  them.  In  this  state  of  jealousy 
and  irritation,  they  wer^  excited  to  deeds  of  savage 
craelty.  They  not  only  invaded  the  frontier  settle- 
ments, and  penetrated  the  country,  laying  waste  atid 
destroying,  as  has  been  already  related ;  but  formi- 
dable fleets  were  sent  to  attack  the  whole  extent  of 
sea  coast.  In  l697j  the  historian  informs  us,  **  an 
*^  invasion  was  every  day  expected  for  several  Aveeks 
'^  together ;  and  news  was  brought  to  Boston,  that  a 
"  formidable  French  fleet  had  been  gcen  upon  the 
*^  coast.'' 

The  reality  of  a  plan  to  destroy  the  English  colo- 
nies,   and  particularly  New  England,   is  stated  by 


m 


•  A»  far  as  the  river  Kenn.cbeck. 
aetts.  Vol.  ii.  p.  II J. 


HiUohinKon's  History  of  Massaohu- 


i» 


h 


.t^ 


ChavUvoiXy  in  the  account  given  by  him,  of  the  above 
mentioned  expedition.      A  powerful  army  from  Can- 
ada, was  to  meet  a  fleet  from  France  early  in  tlie  sea- 
son at  Penobscot ;    and,    "  as  soon  as  the  junction 
"  was  made,  and  the  troops  embarked,  the  fleet,  with- 
«  out  loss  of  time,  was  to  go  to  Boston,  and  that  town 
"  being  taken,  it  was  to  range  the  coast,— destroying 
"  the  settlements  as    far  into  the  country  as  they 
«  could".* — This  projected  expedition,  had  it  been 
executed,  might  have  been  fatal  to  our  country  ;  but, 
by  reason  of  contrary  winds,  the  fleet  did  not  arrive 
in  season,  and  the  plan  wks  frustrated. 

Another  projected  invasion  is  within  the  recollec- 
tion of  some  of  us.  The  elderly  people  have  not  yet 
forgotten  their  fears  and  ap^rehensionvS,  when  the 
strong  force  under  the  Duke  IfMville,  was  expected 
in  this  harbour  ;  nor  have  they  lost  a  remembrance 
of  the  joy  they  felt,  when  that  fleet  was  scattered,  and 
many  ships  Mere  destroyed  by  the  winds  and  the 
waves. 

Such  of  us,  as  are  advanced  in  life,  remember  our 
fears,  during  a  course  of  years,  while  the  French  sur- 
rounded  us,  except  on  the  atlantick  ;  and  on  that 
side  also,  they  were  threatening  to  invade  us  : — when 
our  armies  were  defeated,  which  were  sent  to  protect 
the  frontiers  ;  when  the  young  Washington  found  it 
necessary  to  capitulate.f  Washington,  who,  about 
fourteen  months  after,  by  skill  and  bravery,  saved  the 
broken  remains  of  an  army,  late  commanded  by  Gen- 
eral Braddock  ;  and  who,  by  the  providence  of  God, 
was  preserved  to  be  the  Saviour  of  his  Country. 


•  Hutehinson's  Hiit,  V.  ii.  p.  103.     t  Holmes'*  AnnaU,  V.  ii.  p. 


199. 


13 


p.  199. 


But  I  will  weary  you  no  longer  with  the  sad  detail 
of  wars,  in  which  the  Fathers  of  New  England  suffer- 
ed from  the  French  and  the  savages  of  the  wilderness. 
In  short,  they  had  but  little  rest  from  the  time  of  Phil- 
ip" s  war,  until  Quebeck  was^aken  by  the  immortal 
Wolfe,  and  the  whole  country  was  ceded  to  Great 
Britain  in  1763. 

Having  talked  as  long  perhaps  as  may  be  proper, 
of  the  mercy  which  God  was  pleased  to  show  to  thft 
Fathers  of  our  Country ;  and  of  the  protection  granted 
to  them  and  to  their  children  in  seasons  of  weakness  and 
danger,  and  when  exposed  to  the  savages  of  the  wilder- 
ness, and  to  other  powerful  enemies  ;  we  are  prepared 
to  talk  of  like  protection  and  favours  granted  to  the 
American  people  in  later  times  : — of  their  dangers  .nd 
sufferings  during  a  severe  conflict  for  the  security  of 
their  most  important  interests  ;  a  conflict  which  termi- 
nated in  the  establishment  of  a  new  state  of  things  in 
this  quarter  of  the  world, — a  new  empire,  which,  in 
process  of  time  will  probably  be  equal  in  extent,  in 
power,  and  in  wealth,  to  any  nation  in  the  world. 
But  should  we  talk  of  the  tc volution ary  war, — of  the 
causes  which  produced  it, — of  its  pmgress  and  im- 
portant events  ;  and  of  the  honourable  terms  of  peace, 
obtained  by  the  plenipotentiaries  of  the  United  States 
at  Paris  in  1783,  our  discourse  would  not  only  be  un- 
reasonably long,  but  we  should  have  no  time  left,  to 
talk  of  the  late  war,  in  which  our  country  has  been 
engaged, — of  the  peace  which  is  again  restored  to  us  ; 
and  to  indulge  in  pleasing  anticipation,  the  comforts 
and  blessings  which,  not  only  the  American  people, 
but,  we  hope,  the  world  may  enjoy,  in  a  state  of  tran- 
quillity. 


JCtnw*'' 


i 


■'"ll^s!^^. 


I'i 


u 


As  the  events  of  that  war  which  procured  the  inde- 
pendence  and  the  sovereignty  of  the  United  States  of 
America  are  within  the  recollection  of  such  of  you  as 
have  passed  a  little  over  the  middle  of  life  ;  and  the 
history  of  it  is  in  almost  every  family,  I  shall  omit  any 
farther  conversation  with  respect  to  it,  and  go  on  to 
talk  of  the  late  war,  and  of  the  peace,  which  we  on 
this  day  celebrate. 

It  would  certainly  be  attended  with  very  little 
pleasure,  and  probably  with  very  little  profit,  now  that 
the  war  is  ended,  to  talk  much  about  the  reasons  as- 
signed  for  it  when  it  was  proclaimed,  or  of  the  impor- 
tant objects  which  were  to  be  secured  by  it.  We  re- 
member  the  many  unpleasant  feelings  occasioned  by 
the  contentions  of  men  of  different  opinions,  concern- 
ing the  origin,  and  the  manner  in  which  the  late  war 
was  conducted.  We  hope  such  uncomfortable  feel- 
ings may  now  wholly  subside,  and  that  no  restless 
people  among  us,  may  hereafter,  by  rash  speeches,  or 
inflammatory  publications,  again  revive  them.  Al- 
though we  have  not  yet  learned  that  the  objects  for 
which  the  late  war  was  declared,  have  been  obtained 
or  secured,  we  rejoice  that  the  conflict  is  at  an  end. 
We  do  sincerely  rejoice  at  the  return  of  peace.  Wc 
will  therefore  talk  of  the  wondrous  goodness  of  God, 
both  in  conducting  the  American  people  through  the 
war,  and  in  giving  the  rulers  of  the  late  contending 
nations  pacifiek  dispositions. 

Should  the  peace  continue,  which  is  now  establish- 
ed amoug  the  christian  nations  of  the  earth,  opportu- 
nities will  offer  for  the  execution  of  the  most  benevo- 
lent  purposes  of  the  human  heart.  A  state  of  peace 
is  favourable  to  the  propagation  of  the  gospel,^-to  the 


TOBpr-    - 


id 
♦ 
iidvancemcnt  of  science  and  all  the  useful  aits, — lu 
commerce, — to  every  thing  which  gives  true  dignity 
to  man,  and  tends  to  qualify  him  for  the  rank  which 
he  is  designed  to  hold  in  creation. 

Divine  Providence  seems  to  have  been  preparing 
the  way  for  the  spread  of  truth,  and  the  farther  estab- 
lishment of  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  That  Being  who 
superintends  the  changes  and  revolutions  which  take 
place  among  the  nations  of  the  world,  will  always 
bring  good  out  of  apparent  evil ;  and  therefore  while 
we  mourn  over  the  late  sufferings  of  a  great  portion  of 
our  fellow  men  on  the  continent  of  Europe,  we  find 
consolation  in  the  belief,  that  good  will  result  from 
those  sufferings. 

In  the  dark  ages  of  ignorance  and  superstition, 
when  the  religion  of  Jesus  was  awfully  corrupted, 
and  civil  liberty  was  poorly  understood,  combinations 
were  formed  by  the  rulers  of  the  church,  and  by  the 
princes  of  this  world,  to  support  each  other  in  the 
most  shameful  acts  of  tyranny  and  oppression.  Al- 
though much  had  been  done  at  the  time  of  the  refor- 
mation,  and  at  succeeding  periods,  to  lessen  the  pow- 
er, which  kings  and  priests  had  usurped  over  the 
worldly  estates,  and  over  the  spiritual  concerns  of  the 
people,  much  remained  to  be  done.  Bigotry  and  su- 
perstition may  still  bluster  and  threaten,  but  they  can 
no  longer  hold  the  minds  of  a  great  part  of  mankind 
in  bondage  ;  they  can  no  longer  prevent  free  inquiry. 
Such  is  the  power  of  truth,  that  it  will  prevail. 
"  Many  shall  run  to  and  fro  ;  and  knowledge  shall 
increase." 

At  no  period  since  the  great  opposition  to  popery 
by  Luther,  and  the  reformers  who  followed  after  him, 


16 


have  christians  of  all  denominations  been  so  well  uni- 
ted,  as  they  are  at  the  present  time  in  laudable  en- 
deavours to  extend  the    knowledge    of    salvation. 
Within  a  few  years,  societies  have  been  formed  in 
England  and  in  various  parts  of  Europe,  consisting 
of  members  of  great  respectability,  liaving  for  their 
object  « the  distribution  of  the  Bible."     Societies  for 
the  same  purpose  have  been  recently  formed  in  the 
principal  cities  and  towns  in  North  America.     The 
wonderful  union  of  christians  of  all  denominations, 
and  of  all  orders  of  people,   from  the  highest  to  the 
lowest,  in  this  noble  work  of  charity,  affords  the  high- 
est encouragement  to  the  friends  of  ^ion,  and  is,  we 
trust,  a  presage  of  that  happy  condition  of  the  world, 
which  we  are  taught  to  expect,  when  "  All  shall 
know  the  Lord."  ^'* 

As  the  most  benevolent  purposes  of  God  are  brought 
to  pass,  by  means  adapted  to  the  ends  which  are  to 
be  accomplished,   wise  observers  may  perceive  a  fit- 
ness in  the  means,  and  in  the  workings  of  Providence, 
to  accomplish  such  purposes.      If  there  is  to  be  a 
time,  when  "  the  earth  shall  be  full  of  the  knowledge 
of  the  Lord,"  we  shall  have  reason  to  think,   God  is 
preparing  the  way  for  a  condition  so  desirable,  when 
kings  and  mighty  men,— when  high  and  low,— when 
christians  of  every  creed,  and  of  every  mode  of  wor- 
ship,  unite  their  labours  and  good  wishes  to  extend 
the  only  effectual  means  of  religious  knowledge  to  all 
countries,  and  to  all  regions. 

There  are  other  circumstances  in  the  present  state 
of  the  civilized  nations  of  the  earth,  favourable  to  the 
propagation  of  truth,  which  have  not  heretofore  exist, 
ed  to  the  extent  in  which  thoy  nov,  exist.     Civil  lib- 


4? 

erty,  and  the  rights  of  conscience,  are  better  under- 
stood, and  will  no  doubt,  be  moi'e  respected,  than 
heretofore.  Well  informed  christians  have  more 
moderation,  more  candour,  more  charity  for  one  anoth- 
er, although  still  differing  in  opinions,  and  in  modes 
of  worship,  than  have  been  exercised  at  any  former 
period,  since  the  church  and  the  world  were  united^ 
for  the  support  of  each  other. 

Under  circumstances  such  as  we  have  now  men- 
tioned, and  on  which  we  might  enlarge  with  great 
pleasure  would  the  time  admit,  under  such  circum- 
stances, aided  by  peace,  and  by  the  intercourse  now 
opened,  and  more  widely  opening  among  the  different 
nations  of  tiie  world,  we  indulge  a  pleasing  hope,  that 
the  gospel  shall  be  carried  to  every  part  of  the  globe  ; 
that  the  light  of  divine  truth  shall  be  as  exte  isive  aa 
the  light  of  the  sun  ;  and  "  people  of  all  kindreds, 
and  tongues,  and  nations,  shall  walk  in  the  light.'' 

The  peace  which  we  this  day  celebrate  has  opened 
the  American  ports,  not  only  to  the  nation  with  which 
we  have  been  at  war,  but  to  a  great  part  of  the  nations 
of  the  world.  The  commerce  of  our  country,  which 
had  been  languishing  until  there  was  scarcely  an  ap- 
pearance of  life,  hath  sprung  up  at  the  voice  of  peace^ 
and  is  beginning  to  assume  its  wonted  cheerful  ap- 
pearance. We  again  hear  the  noise  of  the  axe  and 
the  hammer.  "  Zebulon  is  beginning  to  rejoice  in  his 
^*  going  out,  and  Issachar  in  his  tents." 

Peace  is  highly  favourable  to  science,  to  the  us©- 

fa\  arts,  to  agriculture,   and  to  all  the  social  connex- 

ions  of  life.    In  a  time  of  war  the  mind  is  disturbed ; 

the  thought*  are  divided  }    it  ii  impossible  to  give 

3 


ii^l 


19 

Ihat  application  to  study,  which  is  necessary  to  tU. 
acquirement  of  extensive  knowledge. 

In  a  time  of  war,  multitudes  are  called  from  their 
usual  occupations,  and  from  domestick  enjoyments, 
exposed  to  privations,    to  dangers,  and  to  death. 
War  is  an  evil ;    a  judgment  which  God  inflicts  on 
the  sinful  nations  of  the  earth.    During  the  late  war, 
our  nation  has  suffered  a  variety  of  evils.      Many 
lives  have  been  lost.     Vast  property  has  been  taken, 
and  carried  away,  or  destroyed  on  th«  s^^s^^^  Z*^;* 
sums  have  been  expended,  and  a  vast  debt  hath  be6n 
contracted.      Towns  have   been  invaded,--village8 
have  been  burnt,— the  capitol  has  been  laid  in  ashes. 
We  are  glad  to  set  down  in  peace,  under  circumstan- 
ces,  no  doubt,  less  eligible,  than  the  friends  and  sup- 
porters  of  the  war  expected.     We  have  reason  to  be 
thankful  that  our  sufferings  have  not  been  greater  :— 
that  the  conflict  was  no  longer  continued. 

Truly  we  may  say,    "  If  it  had  not  been  that  the 
Lord  was  on  our  side,"  when  a  powerful  enemy  in- 
vaded our  coasts,—"  if  it  had  not  been  that  the  Lord 
^^as  on  our  side,"  when  men  of  renown,  of  uncommon 
strengtli  and  sluU  in  war,   and  men  accustomed  to 
conquer  by  sea  and  by  land,-"  if  it  had  not  been 
that  the  Lord  was  on  our  side,"  when  such  mea 
with   powerful    fleets    and    powerful   armies   came 
a^ainst  us,-"  then    they   had    swallowed    us  up 
"quick,  when  their  wrath  was  kindled  against  us  ! 
<<  then  the  waters  had  overwhelmed  us,  the  stream 
"  had  gone  over  our  soul.    Then  the  proud  waters 
"  had  gone  oveB  our  soul.    Blessed  be  the  Lord  who 
^'  hath  not  given  us  as  a  prey  to  their  teeth.     Our 
"soul  is  escaped  as  a  bird  out  of  the  snare  of  the 
"  fowlers  :  thje  snare  is  broken  and  we  are  escaped. 


ry\ 


19 


to    ill* 

DA  their 
rmentSy 

deatb. 
licts  on 
te  war, 

Many 
I  taken; 

:  vast 
ith  be6n 
villages 
Q  ashes, 
umstan- 
ind  sup- 
on  to  be 
tater  : — 

that  the 
tiemy  in- 
the  Lord 
icommon, 
tomed  to 
not  been 
iich  men 
ies  came 
1    us  up 
ainst  us  ! 
le  stream 
id  waters 
Lord  who 
ith.     Our 
are  of  the 
escaped." 


In  a  review  of  the  wondrous  works  of  God,  as  they 
relate  to  the  fathers  of  our  country,  and  to  their  chil- 
dren,  and  their  children's  children,  to  the  fifth  and  the 
eixth  generation,  we  see  many  things  which  call  for 
our  gratitude,  and  many  things  which  call  for  sober 
reflection  and  humiliation.  Towards  the  American 
people,  while  they  were  under  the  government  of 
Great  Britain,  and  since  they  have  been  free  and  in- 
dependent states,  the  dispensations  of  Providence 
have  been  merciful,  and  they  have  been  afflic- 
tive. As  the  children  of  Israel  were  marvellous- 
ly protected  when  they  went  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt, 
but  were  afterv  ards  corrected  for  their  faults,  and 
grievously  afflicted  ;  so  were  our  fathers  protected  ; 
but  the  first  generation  had  not  passed  away,  before 
the  heathen  brake  in  upon  them,  and  they  were  af- 
flicted. 

The  history  of  our  country,  is  a  history  of  its  pros- 
perities, and  of  its  adversities  ;  of  its  happiness  in 
times  of  peace,  and  of  its  sufferings  in  seasons  of 
war. 

On  this  day,  we  are  invited  by  the  supreme  Mag- 
istrate of  the  United  States,  to  assemble  in  our  place 
of  worship,  and  unite  our  hearts  and  our  voices,  *^  in 
'*  a  free  will  offering,"  of  thanksgiving  and  praise  to 
our  Heavenly  Benefactor  for  his  great  goodness,  man- 
ifested in  restoring  to  us  "  the  blessings  of  peace,*' 
'^  No  people,"  the  president  observes  in  his  procla- 
mation, <*  No  people  ought  to  feel  greater  obligations 
"  to  celebrate  the  goodness  of  the  Great  Disposer  of 
"  all  events,  and  of  the  destiny  of  nations,  than  the 
"  people  of  the  Uuited  States.  His  kind  Providence 
<<  originally  conducted  them  to  one  of  the  best  por- 


20 


1' 


I 


"  tiona  of  the  dwelling  place  allowed  for  the  great 
^'  family  of  the  human  race.     He  protected  and  cher- 
«  ished  them,  under  all  the  difficulties  aud  trials  to 
"  which  they  were  exposed  in  their  early  days.  Under 
"  his  fostering  care,  their  habits,  their  sentiments,  and 
"  their  pursuits,  prepared  them  for  a  transition,  in  due 
"  time,  to  a  state  of  independence  and  self-govern- 
"  ment.     In  the  arduous  struggle  by  which  it  was  at- 
*^  tained,  they  were  distinguished  by  multiplied  to- 
"  kens  of  his  benign  interposition.     And  to  the  same 
*'  Divine  Author  of  every  good  and  peiiect  gift,   we 
"  are  indebted  for  all  the  privileges  and  advantages, 
♦<  religious  as  well  as  civil,  which  are  so  richly  enjoy- 
"  ed  in  this  favoured  land.'\ 

While  making  our  offering  of  thanksgiving  and 
praise  to  Almighty  God,  for  the  peace  which  he  hath 
been  pleased  to  ordain  for  us,  many  circumstances 
occur  to  our  minds,  which  render  the  event  which  we 
now  celebrate,  peculiarly  grateful,  and  which  call  for 
the  exercise  of  our  best  affections. 

Had  the  war  continued  another  season,  it  would 
have  become  more  fierce  and  cruel.  A  disposition  to 
plunder y  and  to  retaliate  injuries,  on  both  sides,  had 
been  for  some  time  increasing,  aud  we  have  reason  to 
fear,  that  a  continuance  of  the  war  would  not  only 
have  afforded  opportunities,  but  excitements  to  still 
more  shocking  deeds  ;  in  which,  not  only  men  in 
arms,  but  unoffending  citizens  in  the  peaceful  walks 
of  life,  would  have  been  subjected  to  inexpressible 
sufferings. 

Had  the  war  continued  another  season,  the  forces 
of  the  enemy  in  the  Canadas,  on  the  lakes,  and  on 
our  sea.  coasts,  would  have  been  greatly  increased  : 


I 


31 


much  greater  exertions  therefore  would  have  been  re- 
quired OQ  the  part  of  the  United  fetates.  What  ways 
and  means  could  have  been  devised  for  the  support  of 
such  armiu^  as  must  have  been  called  out  to  defend 
an  extensive  sea  coast,  and  an  equally  extensive  fron- 
tier, those  publick  men  may,  perhaps,  be  abk  to  say, 
who  had  the  management  of  the  finances  during  the 
two  last  seasons. 

Had  the  war  continued,  multit'ides  must  have  been 
called  from  the  flekls  mi  nusbandry,  from  manufactur- 
ing establishments,  and  other  useful  apd  necessary 
employments,  and  hurried  away  to  exposed  parts  of 
the  country,  to  suffer  in  camps  and  to  die  in  battle. 

Had  the  war  continued,  the  spring  would  have 
opened  upon  us  with  gloomy  forebodings.  In  the 
winter  season,  the  ice  and  the  snow  were  our  best  de- 
fence. With  the  returning  sun,  our  fears  would  have 
returned  :  the  increase  of  day,  would  have  increased 
our  apprehensions.  But  with  the  peace,  which  God 
in  mercy  hath  granted  us,  the  whole  scene  of  things 
is  changed.  We  hail  each  lengthening  day  with  the 
smile  of  cheerfulness.  We  behold  the  vernal  skies, 
and  we  receive  the  vernal  showers,  with  unmingled 
pleasure.  "  We  will  now  give  thanks  unto  the  Lord  ; 
''^  we  will  call  upon  his  name  ;  we  will  make  known 
*'  his  deeds  among  the  people ;  we  will  sing  unto  him ; 
"we  will  sing  psalms  unto  him  ;  we  will  talk  of  all 
"  his  wondrous  Avorks." 

That  our  offering  of  thanksgiving  and  praise,  may 
be  acceptable  to  God,  let  it  be  accompanied  witii  klad 
affection  towards  all  our  fellow  citizens,  and  towards 
the  peo|)le  whom  we  lately  considered  as  our  en- 
emies. 


i      ' 

» 1 


« I 


!i(l 


SB 

"  Whatever  differences  of  opinion  may  have  exist' 
«  ed,"  with  respect  to  the  origin  of  the  late  war,  or 
any  of  the  measures  in  which  it  hath  been  conducted, 
all  now  rejoice,  in  that  the  conflict  is  at  an  end.  "  All 
«  good  citizens  will  unite  in  providing  still  farther  for 
fi  our  external  security,  as  well  as  internal  prosperity 
«  and  happiness,  by  fidelity  to  the  union,  by  reverence 
<<  for  tl»e  laws,  by  discountenancing  all  local  and  oth- 
«  cr  prejudices,  and  by  promoting  every  where,  the 
"  concord  u.d  brotherly  affection  becoming  members 
^  of  one  great  political  family."* 

As  we  are  again  at  peace  with  the  government  and 
people  of  Great  Britain,  let  us  suppress,  as  much  as 
possible,  the  feelings  of  resentment  which  are  apt  to 
rise  from  a  recollection  of  sufferings  and  injuries. 
The  brave  are  always  generous  :  they  are  the  first 
to  forgive  and  forget.  K  we  have  suffered,  our  ene- 
niy  too  has  suffered.  Let  the  balm  of  peace  now  heal 
every  wound.  If  the  acar  remain,  lest  us  be  careful, 
lest  hy  fretting,  the  blood  be  made  again  to  appear. 

As  the  brave  are  always  generous,  the  brave  will 
never  exult,  when  a  powerful  enemy  has  been  beaten. 
We  are  to  remember,  the  race  is  not  always  to  the 
swift,  nor  is  the  battle  always  to  the  strong.  While 
the  American  arms  have,  without  question,  secured 
immortal  fame,  it  must  be  confessed  that  little  else 
has  been  secured,  for  the  United  States,  by  a  vast  cx- 
^lense  in  biood  and  treasure.f 

It  is  now  devoutly  to  be  wished,  that  all  ill  will, 
and  all  party  spirit  may  be  put  away.  Why  should 
party  spirit  and  party  feelings  continue,  when,  it  is 


1 
I 


111' 


•   Set  Note  B. 


t  Bee    Note    Cr 


presumed,  there  can  now  be  no  foreign  influence  to 
support  a  party  ?  Whatever  there  may  have  been  in 
times  past,  at  present  there  can  be  no  particular  at- 
tachments to  foreign  nations,  to  influence  American 
citizens.  If  any  internal  contentions  be  kept  aiivc, 
they  must  be  such  as  are  found  to  a  c  in  degree,  in 
all  elective  governments  :  a  contention  for  power,  for 
places,— for  "  the  loaves  and  fishes."  A  man  surely 
can  have  very  little  modesty,  who  seeks  fi>r  honours 
and  preferments  which  the  publick  is  n^t  willing  to 
give  him.  In  an  uncorrupted  state  of  society,  men 
will  not  be  seen  making  interest  for  pieces  of  honour 
and  profit.  Men  well  known  to  be  qualified,  men  of 
approved  integrity  and  uprightness,  will  be  sought 
for,  and  solicited,  to  accept  offices  of  high  responsibil- 
ity. God  grant  that  we  may  live  to  see  a  return  of 
something  like  that  golden  age  of  purity  and  simpli- 
city, which  our  country  once  enjoyed  ! 

My  beloved  people,  although  I  have  now  talked 
with  you  a  long  time,   I  feel  unwilling  to  close  my 
discourse,  without  offering  my  very  particular,  and 
most   affectionate    congratulations,    on  the    present 
joyous  occasion.      On  a  like  occasion  I  once  before 
addressed  some  of  you.    The  peace  of  1783,   after  a 
severe  contest  for  independence  and  sovereignty,  was 
a  glorious  peace.    It  is  to  the  highest  degree  improb- 
able, that  I  shall  again,  at  any  future  time,   address 
you  on  a  similar  occasion  ;    or,  on  any  political  sub- 
ject.    Four  seasons  of  distressing  warfare  are  within 
my  recollection.     The  war  of  17*5?  the  war  of  4755? 
the  war  of  1775,  and  the  late  war  declared  on  the 
part  of  the  United  States  June  18,   181JS.      I  have 
seen  important  changes  and  revolutions  in  my  own 


3* 


n 


country,  and  among  the  nation  of  the  world.  I  have 
seen  one  generation  pass  awE ,/,  and  another  genera- 
tion  come  forward.  I  have  seen  a  nation  rise  up  m 
this  quarter  of  the  world,  powerful  in  men  and  m 
arms,  and  taking  rank  among  the  other  nations  ot  tha 
earth.  Such  changes  I  have  seen  ;  but  my  days  of 
vision  on  eartn  are  drawing  to  an  end.  My  country, 
now  at  peace,  I  hope  will  continue  in  peace  long,  very 
long  after  it  shall  please  God  to  take  me  to  that 
"  better  country,"  where  wars  are  unknown. 

My  heart's  desire  and  prayer  has  been  for  the  pros- 
perity  and  peace  of  our  Jerusalem.  May  those  al- 
ways  prosper  who  seek  her  peace  ! 

It  was  for  the  love  which  I  had  for  my  country  ;— 
the  country  in  which  I  was  born-in    which  my 
friends  live-in  which  the  people  live  with  whom  1 
am  connected  by  ties  which  have  made,  and  which 
still  make  my  abode  pleasant  to  me ;    for  the  love 
which  I  had,  and  which  I  still  have  for  this  country, 
I  have  discoursed  to  you  several  times  on  its  rights 
and  its  liberties-'on  its  dangers  and  its  suffenns8^ 
I  have  rejoiced  with  my  country  when  in  prosperity  ; 
and  mourn  jd  when  in  adversity.      As  the  comforts 
which  we  enjoy  in  the   peace  and  prosperity  of  our 
country,  are  as  truly  the  gifts  of  God,  as  the  comforts 
which  we  hope  to  enjoy  in  a  future  life,  we  should  be 
unjust  to  ourselves,  and  ungrateful  to  our  heavenly 
Benefactor,   did  we  not  endeavour  to  defend  and  se- 
cure  them,  when  men  of  violence  att«-mpt  to  take 
them  away  from  us  ;    I  therefore  thought,  and  still 
think,  it  was  my  duty  to  give  warning  when  the  im- 
portant interests  of  my  country  appeared  to  be  in  dan- 
ger.    When  llKJse  inii)ortant  interests  were  actually 


9?1 


I  have 
genera- 
se  up  ill 

aud  in 
as  of  the 

days  of 
country, 
»ng,  very 

to  that 

the  pros- 
those  al- 

antry  ;— 
fhich  my 

whom  I 
id  which 
•  the  love 
3  country, 
its  rights 
wfferinga, 
rosperity  ; 
i  comforts 
ity  of  our 
e  comforts 
should  be 

heavenly 
nd  and  se- 
pt to  take 
t,  and  still 
en  the  im- 
be  in  dan- 
re  actually 


invaded,  I  thought,  and  still  think,  it  was  my  duty 
to  say  and  to  do  what  I  was  able,   to  support  them. 
In  this  I  thought,  and  still   think,   I  had  great  and 
good  examples,  in  the  prophets  and  apostles.     Jesus 
Ghrist  also,  with  the  perfect  feelings  of  a  perfect  man, 
loved  his  country,  and  wept  over  its  capital,  when  he 
kflew  its  destruction  was  approaching.     In  my  youth 
I  was  taught  to  regard  dvil  and  religious  liberty, 
with  a  kind  of  reverential  respect.     That  sort  of  de- 
votion  I  strengthened  afterwards,  by  reading  and  me<l- 
itation  ;    nor  do   I   perceive  that  my  attachment   to 
those  objects  of  my  early  affection,    has  in  any  meas- 
uie  abated  now  I  am  old. 

For  the  full  enjoyment  of  civil  and  religious  liber- 
ty, together  with  the  inestimable  blessings  connected 
with  them,  the  fathers  of  New  England  exchanged 
the  wealth  and  the  accommodations  of  their  native 
country,  for  the  poverty  and  the  sufferings  of  a  wil- 
derness. I  pray  God,  the  offspring  of  those  excellent 
men,   may  never  suffer  their  biHh-rlghts  to  be  taken 

from  them. 

I  rejoice  that  my  country  is  again  at  peace  with  the 
government  and  people  of  Great  Britain  ;    a  people 
of  high  spirits  and  somewhat  vindictive  ;    but  a  peo- 
ple possessing  many  strong  virtues.     A  people,  who, 
with  all  their  faults,  have  doe  more  to  encourage 
useful  institutions,  and  to  send  the  true  knowledge  of 
salvation  to  the  dark  parts  of  the  earth,  than  any  oth- 
er nation,   and  I  may  say,  than  all  the  other  nations 
in  the  world.     It  would  be   unjust,   and   base,   and 
wicked,  to  impute  to  tiie  present  inhabitants  of  Great 
Britain,  the  bigotry  and  the  pcvsecutin-  spirit  of  their 
great  grandfathers. 

3 


!  i  I 


1  .ejoice  that  the  wovld  is  ^^^f^^^'J^Z 
temple  of  Jitnw   '  agam  shut.     1  he  eartn  is  a 
God  grant  that  he.eeforth  the  only  eontest  may  b^ 
L  111  do  most  to  enlighten  the  .S™'-';^"^ 
shall  do  most  to  reform  the  guiUy  ;    ^f  •  ^  "'*  '  „ 
words  of  the  great  Wash.»otok,  'J'^^^^^^^f  ^^^^ 
of  our  eountry,  with  whose  words  I  eonelude,     w 
shall  do  most  "  to  make  our  ne.ghhours  and  fe  ow 
«  men  as  happy,  as  their  frail  conditions  and  perish- 
«  ins  natures  Avill  permit  them  to  be.  * 


til 


^1 


•  A  letter,  dated  at  Mouut  Veruoa  Juue  2i,  171 


See  Note  D; 


1'      N 


je.    The 
s  at  rest, 
t  may  be, 
,nt;   who 
to  use  the 
red  father 
de, — who 
nd  fellow 
nd  perish- 


:e  Note  D; 


NOTES. 

Note  A.    See  page  9. 

In  iVea  *  H«^«Y„,v/ "   "  He  ^as  a  bold  and  daring  pnnce,  hav- 
«  son  of  old  Massasoiet.        tie  was  ^ 

« iog  all  the  pride,  fierceness,  and  cruelty  of  a  mage 
Hist.  Vol.  II.  p.  23.  ^  aickncBB, 

Note  B.     See  p.  22. 
The  luotatlon  to  ,.Hch  «,»  note  .«  '*«;iJ:;*„':"co,^ 

«  gratulatonr  Acldrea  of  the  Republican  "f™'"  "         ,,  ,,,ich 

..  L  of  4e  Le,..at>«  of  M^'trP:.^^^  «  ^  -'-^^^^ 
«  was  voted  to  be  communicated  to  the  l-resioeui, 

of  peace."    Feb.  23,  1815. 

Note  C.      See  p.  22. 
Hon.  Wman^  G».«^  member  of  -'-^^^."^u'^ 

thus :  "  Some  time  must  jet  elap.e  before  «  """"J""  '  j^ 

>.  ty  the  adclition  the  war  ha.  made  to  our  pubh*  debt  Cham. 
"  are  e.en  now  brought  V«fore  congress  which  had  "-eir  »r.pn  in 
"  Z  war  of  tho  revolution  .  and  A«  which  h«  just  pa..,  Aort  ^ 


S8 

.■   ,,nr«  has  given  rise  to  many  more  than  otir  revolu- 
«  was  its  continuance,  nasgivc 

*♦  Americaua,     Ju,uuw.     o.^ 
« 150,000,000." 

Note  D.     See  p.  26. 

end  of  the  discourse.  .,H,f.,,i„„,  the  cases  in  which  your 

-"^'^'^Tc^X^^^^'-^^''  Itaaoe  Society,) 
..benevolent  "*""'";•.  *'^J,  ,„„e  of  our  fellow  creatures, 
"has  been  instrumental  in  recalling  ,„d  has  liren  occa- 

..  a.  U  were,  from  beyond  the  gate,  of  eterntV,  >»d  ha  g         ^^^ 

..  .ion  for  the  >>7!  f^^r*  -  -  ^  rhish,;  Livable 
<.nrovUionsmadeforship»recKcoma  ,„j  ™aay  consolatory 

.  L  the  view  of  every  philanthrop.c  mmd.  ^^^  ,.„  ,„„ 

..  ,0  that  suirerius  par,  of  the  immunity.    Th^J;"  J^,     t,„.„ 
..„ponyou,heb.e.a^sof.ho«,hower^^^^^^^^^^ 

..  work,  of  charity  and  good  »■"  '°*"°' "    '       ,„  era  of  .till  far- 
..  tion,  great  lustre  upon  the  authors,  ffj^^'^l^  ^^  „„,. 

..  ther  improvement..    How  pruful   m  the   r.  ol  ^^  ^^ 

:ri:;;r";:st:i:ts:tr;;^^^^^^ 

«  them  to  be  !  ...      sentences  is  no  more 

Nowthe  wUerof  the  -^;«. ^^7;!f l^uT^^^^^^ 
.nong  the  living,  .e  .nay  ^^^'^^^^^^'^^iLnlrs  and  the 
"  and  religion,"  ave  ^^^^^^^^^ ^^Us,  the  Henries,  and 
C«;.srtr.s  the  Pomptcs;  the  Uiar(m.v,  ^^^ 

all  «ho  have  "  <k-solated  the  .orid  ^^^^  fire  and  -  ^^^^^^^ 

.poscBof  conquest  and  fan.   .hen co^p^^^^^  ^„, 

.ho  fought  only  for  tho  ''''^'•*'^*  *"^\^*3|;,,  ,^^  aicw  his  s^Tord. 
having  accompUBhed  the  great  objects  for  .Ah.ch 

returned  to  private  life  I 


revohi- 

ts,  in  a 
"  brave 
crificed. 


le  reader 
ed  at  the 


V<" 


rich  your 

Society,) 
creatures, 
iren  occa- 
oy.    The 
estimable 
onsolatory 
will  draw 
ih.    These 
my  estima- 
of  still  far- 
n  and  rclJg- 
ith  fire  and 
compared  to 
fellow  men, 
tures  permii 

Es  is  no  more 
eye  of  reason 
nders  and  the 
I  Henries,  and 
d  for  the  pur- 
Yashiwoton, 
country  ;  antl 
rew  his  sword. 


m 


\ 


.-.A;.i.ii'4i.^,.rMiinT"  "n  f&J 


--ifpmtoi  >■  ^s^^ggtSF^^ItSP-*'^^ 


